Government sending help to those laid off from Rabbit Lake uranium mine

Premier Brad Wall confirms the government’s rapid response team is already working with some of the 500 people being laid off in northern Saskatchewan.

“To identify perhaps other job opportunities that might exist that fit their skills, to identify maybe retraining opportunities for those that want to pursue a different career,” Wall explained. “Sometimes just to help renew job-hunting skills.”

Cameco is suspending production at its Rabbit Lake Mine operation in northern Saskatchewan, resulting in about 500 jobs lost.

Wall sees a glimmer of hope that Cameco has not shut the mine permanently but is keeping 100 staff around for maintenance.

“I think that if they were giving up completely on Rabbit Lake they would have made the decision to closed it down completely and they didn’t make that decision.”